Mtd mower oil type. Can You Use Car Oil in a Lawn Mower

The Tool Yard

How to fix, maintain be safe with chainsaws, lawn mowers, engines DIY tools and kits. Maybe some beer talk.

How to choose the best oil for your lawn mower

Just as you should regularly change the oil in your car or truck or chainsaw, the same should be done for your lawnmower. If you want to have the best looking lawns in the street, you’ll need your lawnmower to have a sharp blade and to be filled with the best oil so that while you are pushing the damn thing, the engine operates well and gives a long lifetime of service. You could be tempted to think of your lawnmower as being ‘just a lawnmower’ so any kind of automotive car oil will do but that could mean the difference between extending the life of your lawn mower or causing it to clog and become inoperable. This is especially so if your mower doesn’t get used very often. So if you want the ‘good oil’ on what to put in your grass cutter, read on.

What kind of oil do I need to use in my lawnmower?

The temperature of the climate in which you will operate the lawnmower will have an influence on your oil needs.

Lawnmower engine experts Briggs and Stratton advise that Engines on most outdoor power equipment operate well with 5W30 Synthetic oil.

For equipment operated in hot temperatures, Vanguard 15W50 Synthetic oil provides the best protection.

What that means for you as the oil user is that you need to check what range your engine will run on. The easiest way to do this is to check your engine’s user manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you have lost the manual or never had one, then use a search engine to find a PDF of it.

A general rule of thumb though is that engines on most outdoor power equipment operate well with 5W30 Synthetic oil.

Once you have found the right kind of oil, it’s now time to consider what brand of oil you want to use.

We typically recommend you avoid the cheapest range of any tool or safety gear or oil and most certainly do the same with lawnmower oil. we suggest you used tried and trusted brands. because these oils have been road-tested in many machines being pushed many thousands of miles.

If those brands didn’t cut it, they wouldn’t survive in the market. If you don’t believe me, read this tale of how the Slitz company turned a quality beer into a joke and ran their brand into the ground. One rule of thumb to bear in mind is that the older your engine is, it’s more likely that it will suit the traditional SAE30 oil ranges.

Recommended oil: Briggs and Stratton Small Engine 30W

Briggs and Stratton is arguably the biggest named player in the lawnmower engine market (Husqvarna is probably second). Their engines are known for ‘going and going’ so much so that several other ‘big name brands’ simply use the Briggs and Stratton engine on their own branded push machines as a selling point.

So, the biggest name in lawnmower technology is sure to have a quality oil product for their machines and their version of 30W for small engines is most likely what your engine would benefit from.

Bought a brand new lawnmower, and didn’t want hubs to blow this one up too because he forgot to put oil in it.

Classic and it’s always worth a reminder that if buying a new lawnmower, you need to add oil before you use it or you will destroy the engine.

Can I use synthetic oil in my lawnmower?

Yes, you can use synthetic oil in a lawnmower. Oils like Amsoil are designed for more modern engines. Synthetic oil is a small engine lubricant full of chemical compounds that are artificially made using chemically modified petroleum components. The benefit of using synthetic oil is they tend to offer better viscosity, wear and deposit control, and low-temperature fluidity. This means that if you regularly use synthetic oil in your lawnmower (over the long term) then you greatly increase the chances of long service life and reduce the need to replace your lawnmower at year 6 instead of year 10 (excuse the hyperbole!). So the regular use of synthetic oils in your engine reduces the chances of it failing and thus in the process, extends its service life. The only real downside to using this kind of oil is that it is usually priced significantly higher than standard oils. Check out this example from Pennzoil for example, their 530-30 Full Synthetic can price over 50 bucks!

Using Toro Synthetic oil with a lawnmower

Designed to work across a range of extreme conditions, Toro synthetic oil will handle the heat and the cold to help you get your lawns cut.

Toro is a massive brand worldwide, in addition, to push lawn mowers they produce golf cars, ride-on mowers, spray equipment, diggers, bunk rakes, and top dressers. So they know engines and they know oil so you can be sure the oil is engineered and tested to meet the needs of their machines. This means due to its quality, Toro oil will do most lawn mowers a favor in terms of engine performance. It certainly meets the performance requirements of brands such as Briggs Stratton, Kohler, Honda, Tecumseh, and Craftsman!

How often should I replace my lawnmower oil?

Many car owners change their car’s oil once a year as part of an annual tune-up up. It lengthens the life of the engine as its parts are protected from wear.

For smaller engines, the comparison is the same. many lawnmowers will change their oil once a year in the spring when the grass starts to grow long and the mower is used more regularly.

This is tied to the use of the mower. your mower can have varying needs depending on use hours. A lawn that’s mown for half an hour once a month, may only need a change once a year but a weekly mower of a larger lawn may require two changes.

A ride on mower is probably more likely to benefit from a change at 100 hours of run time and annually.

If you feel your engine isn’t performing well, a change of oil may help. As we always recommend, your user instruction manual should be able to give you advice. and it will be good advice too because the dudes and dudettes who made the engine have tested it to the ground in the lab so they will know how their machine works under so many conditions.

How to remove old oil from a lawnmower

When it comes to changing lawn mower oil, there are certainly a few tips and tricks that you can do to make sure you have an oil splash free transfer. So now you’ve understood the reasons why you need to regularly change your engine’s oil, the next question might be how! Items you may need to change the oil:

• A pan or contain to catch the old oil
• some old rags or cloths
• A wrench with appropriate socket size for the oil drain nu
• Engine oil that suits your needs
• Funnel
• Siphon or oil kit system if you are going to siphon rather than drain

Location of the oil change

The first thing to do is consider the location where you will drain the oil already inside the mower. Naturally, you’ll want to avoid doing this operation on your grass lawn or near your garden in case of spillage. To that end, a concrete surface such as a driveway is ideal. You’ll, of course, want to lay down newspaper or cardboard to catch any oil drops that may collect to avoid staining the concrete.

Warm the engine before you drain the oil

It is best to have turned the lawnmower’s engine over for a few minutes before you drain the oil. This is because particles that have collected will be floating around in the old oil. Take care that when draining the oil that the engine parts are not too hot. you may need to use gloves if you have run the engine for a while. It’s also now time to disconnect the spark plug to prevent any accidental ignition of the engine.

Locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the push mower

Clean the general area with an old cloth to prevent any external debris from falling into the crankcase when you open the drain plug. Tilt the mower deck and then position some newspaper and an oil pan or jug beneath the mower. Then take a socket wrench to run the plug counterclockwise. This allows the oil to drain into your collection device. Once the oil has fully drained, secure the drain plug by twisting clockwise and tightening gently with the wrench. If your mower has an oil filter, it’s the opportune time to replace it as well.

Removing the engine oil with a siphon kit

If your preference is to siphon via the oil entry point rather than drain, a siphon kit might be just the ticket. Once you have your siphon at the ready, place one end of its tube into the oil fill hole and make sure it has reached the bottom of the reservoir. The other end of the tubing needs to be placed into a container that will not knock over during the process. Engage your siphon and do your best to empty as much of the used oil as you can. Tilting the engine on its side slightly can help pool the last of the oil and the tube can be manipulated into a position to collect the last of the oil. These kits can also be used to transfer fuel from your car or fuel container directly into the lawn mower’s fuel pump. A handy way to make an efficient transfer! Once you have completed the siphoning, you are ready to add some new oil. And what could you use?

Can You Use Car Oil in a Lawn Mower?

Oil is essential for a lawn mover to function properly. In order to keep your oil in good shape, you must change it. Many people wonder if there is a special type of oil made specifically for lawn mowers or can you use car oil in a lawn mower?

In this article I’ll cover some of the basics of changing lawn mower oil. I’ll also answer the question that likely brought you here regarding car oil in lawn mowers.

Although it may not be the most fun task, oil maintenance should be performed regularly. In the long run this will save you money and avoid a malfunction in your lawn mower. Likewise, changing the oil in your lawn mower is not a difficult task if you know what to do.

Step one in making sure that your oil is doing the most for your lawn mower is making sure that you have the correct type of oil.

What Type of Oil do I use in my Lawn Mower?

The short answer is yes, you can sometimes use the same oil that you use in your car in your lawn mower.

But before you go forward there are a few things to know first.

Lawn Mower Oil Quality

Lawn mowers generally require a higher-priced oil. A great type of oil to use in your lawn mower is SAE 30 motor oil. Although SAE 30 will generally do the job, we recommend looking at your lawn mowers owner’s manual. It’s important to find the exact oil that will keep your lawn mower running all year long.

I always recommend using the recommended oil for best results and to make your mower last.

Always remember when thinking about the oil that you will put into your lawn mower: lawn mowers need higher quality oil. It should be at least SAE 30 to run well.

Your car can handle a lower quality oil and still be fine. So really, whether you can use car oil in your mower is determined by what you put into your car.

If you don’t buy a high-quality oil for your car, I recommend using a different oil for your lawn mower.

When should I change the oil in my lawn mower?

It may come as a surprise to many lawn mower owners, but you should change the oil in your lawn mower about as often as you change the oil in your car.

This is especially true for those who live in drier, dustier climates where particles could easily get into your oil.

My Recommendation

I recommend changing the oil in your lawn mower every other mowing season (minimum). It’s generally worth the time and money to change the oil at the beginning of each year.

Of course this is general advice. This could vary based on how often you mow your lawn, the type of mower you have (and how old it is), etc.

If you see smoke when you’re running your mower it’s time to change the oil. If you check the dipstick and it’s dark black and dirty, it’s time to change the oil.

How do I Change the Oil in my Lawn Mower?

After checking your user manual (if you don’t have it handy, you can usually look it up online) to find out what kind of oil your lawn mower should have and how often you should change the oil in your lawn mower, you are probably wondering, “How do I change the oil in my lawn mower?”

Here are the steps you should take to change the oil in your lawn mower properly.

Steps to Change Lawn Mower Oil

• Empty all of the gasoline from your lawn mower’s fuel tank (optional).
• Disconnect the Spark plug wire (recommended safety measure).
• Look to see if your mower has an oil drain plug.
• If your mower has an oil drain plug, open it to drain out the oil into a pan or container.
• If your mower does not has an oil drain plug, tilt your lawn mower on its side, ensuring the carburetor is on the raised side, and drain out all of the oil from the dipstick hole where you typically add oil. I recommend having a long or flexible funnel for this so you don’t spill.
• Tilt your lawn mower upright and add new, clean oil to your lawn mower.

Why Buy Specialty Lawn Mower Oil for Your Mower?

One advantage to buying specialty lawn mower oil online or at a hardware or big box store is that the containers are smaller and they are generally sized appropriately so that you’ll add the correct amount of oil and won’t overfill the oil tank of your mower.

Mtd mower oil type

Posted by SEPW on 13th Apr 2015

No more oil changes. Ever.

That’s the promise Briggs Stratton makes with the new EXi engine with Just Check Add™ technology, which is being rolled out on select walk-behind mowers this spring.

See it in action now on the Toro 20353 AWD Recycler »

Briggs Stratton EXi engine with Just Check Add™ technology

Of course, you’re thinking: No way. I can’t blame you, it’s a bold statement. You have to change the oil, right.

Well, Briggs noticed that while most people understand the importance of an oil change. that doesn’t necessarily mean it gets done.

Since most engines don’t have a drain plug anymore, changing your oil can be frustrating and messy: Tip the lawn mower over. oil misses the pan. Sometimes an oil change can do more bad than good, as well, when care is not taken to ensure dirt and other debris does not enter the engine.

So when they set out to imagine the next evolution of lawn mower engines, Briggs Stratton designed the EXi from the ground up with easy maintenance in mind.

Tighter seals and tool-free maintenance enhances engine life and makes yours easier.

No tools required to change the air filter.

Larger, angled fuel neck for easier filling and less mess.

No more oil changes.

In the average lawn mower engine, the two main reasons to change the oil are:

• Dirt and debris get into the oil and cause wear.
• Through regular usage, heat turns the oil into sludge.

The EXi engine utilizes a cooling fan optimized for airflow to help keep it cool, as well as an overhead valve design that minimizes heat through the cylinder head, reducing the oil temperature by about 10 degrees.

The oil that’s in there will last longer. Cooler oil will take longer to break down.

To keep the oil clean, Briggs turned to an automotive-style paper air filter in a tight, press-fit element to keep dirt out. The oil fill tube also includes an extended lip to help prevent debris from getting in while adding oil to the engine.

Briggs Stratton Just Check Add™ Technology means:

A lawn mower that never needs an oil change.

For the life of the engine, all you need to do check the oil level. and add as needed. No messy draining process, no oil disposal. Just. Check and add.

But, what if you want to change the oil?

Yes, you can still change the oil if you want to.

On your average small engine, it is recommended that you change the oil after every 50 hours of operation. No doubt a lot of people will feel more comfortable sticking to that. While regular scheduled maintenance of your EXI engine will eliminate the need for an oil change, Briggs says it won’t hurt if you do it anyway.

The new EXi engine, with 7.25 or 6.75 gross torque, also includes other great features you’ve come to expect from Briggs Stratton, including:

ReadyStart® Engine Starting System: No prime, no choke. just pull for power. The Briggs Stratton Starting Promise guarantees it will start in 2 tries, or they will fix it for free.

Besides the easy, tool-free mainentance, the EXi is also the lightest engine in it’s class, making it easy to maneuver. EXi series engines will become the standard as Briggs will be phasing out the current Quantum engines over the next couple of years.

Oil, Filter, Grease, and Coolants

You’re in the right place to learn about John Deere Plus-50™ II Engine Oil – including our brand new line of SAE 5W-40. Check out how Plus-50™II oil is specially formulated to keep engines running smoothly and efficiently. In tractors. In trucks. In utility vehicles. In pickups. In the field and on the highway. It’s the one engine oil to use on your farm.

• Oil
• Grease, Grease Guns, and Accessories
• Coolants
• Fuel Solutions
• Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Supporting Equipment

Plus-50™ II Premium Engine Oil

• Designed and tested by John Deere engineers.
• Recommended by engineers who design, develop, and test John Deere engines.
• Formulated to perform up to 500 hours in your John Deere engine.
• Reduces downtime.
• Next generation low ash CK-4 formula.
• Meets performance and emission requirements for all four-stroke diesel engines.
• Supports engines with diesel particulate filters, including 2007 and newer on-highway vehicles.
• Backward compatible for all current applications.
• So good it’s guaranteed (view oil warranty).
• Available in 15W-40, 10W-30, 5W-40, and full synthetic 0W-40.
• Increased drain intervals when used with John Deere fluids.

For more details on service ratings, features, and warranty information, contact your dealer today.

Torq-Gard™ Engine Oil

• Reduces corrosion
• Controls sludge for a cleaner engine
• Low-temp fluidity for reduced engine startup wear

SAE 15W-40 with API CI-4 PLUS / SL

Recommended for both diesel and gasoline engines in all types of service; ideal for mixed commercial fleets.

SAE 10W-30 with API CI-4 PLUS / SL

Premium quality recommended for both diesel and gasoline engines in all types of service; ideal for mixed commercial fleets.

SAE 5W-30 with API CI-4 / SL

High-performance oil that offers maximum protection for diesel and gasoline engines where excellent low-temperature, pump-ability is required.

SAE 30 with API CF / SL

Recommended for all diesels and gasoline engines with superior resistance to wear, oxidation and deposit characteristics.

Break-In™ Plus Engine Oil

• Designed for new, rebuilt, or remanufactured engines.
• Formulated to provide a controlled environment for establishing a good wear pattern along with protection on piston rings, cylinder liners, valve train and gears for maximum performance and extended engine life.
• Meets the oil requirements for Tier 4 engines and supports legacy engines.
• Maximum service interval is the same service-interval recommendation for Plus-50 II (up to 500 hours).

Shop Break-In™ Plus Engine Oil

The SAE 30 Oil Guide (What It Is 13 FAQs)

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You may have heard of (and are likely using) SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-30 motor oil.

These are engine oil viscosity grades designed by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), which is why you see “SAE” appended before the grade.

Don’t worry.We’ll take a closer look at what SAE 30 motor oil is, what it’s used for, and answer some questions on this oil.

This Article Contains

• What Is A Viscosity Rating?
• What Is SAE 30 Equivalent To?
• What’s The Difference Between SAE 30 And SAE 40 Oils?
• Is SAE 30 Oil The Same As 10W-30?
• Is SAE 30 The Same As SAE 30W?
• Is SAE 30 Non Detergent Oil?
• Is SAE 30 A Marine Engine Oil?
• Is SAE 30 Synthetic?
• Can I Use 5W-30 Instead Of SAE 30?
• Can I Use SAE 30 Oil In Diesel Engines?
• Can I Mix SAE 30 Oil With 10W30 Oil?
• Can I Use SAE 30 In A Lawn Mower?
• Does SAE 30 Oil Have Additives?

What Is SAE 30 Oil?

The SAE 30 oil is a single grade oil with a viscosity rating of 30.

It’s called a single grade (or monograde) oil because it only has one viscosity grade. This is different from a multi grade oil, like 10W-30, which is rated for both SAE 10W and SAE 30.

A single grade oil can be rated for a hot viscosity grade or a cold-start viscosity grade (where it’ll have a “W” suffix, standing for Winter). In a multi grade oil, the winter grade viscosity emulates the engine crank at cold temperatures.

The SAE 30 oil is rated only for hot viscosity. This rating indicates how viscous the motor oil is at an operating temperature of 100 O C (212 O F).

Why is this important?Temperature has a direct impact on viscosity.

If an engine heats up beyond certain temperature thresholds, the motor oil will experience thermal breakdown and start to degrade. You’d want to avoid this as sufficient engine lubrication is key to ensuring long engine life.

Next, let’s see where you’d use SAE 30 motor oil.

What Is SAE 30 Oil Used For?

The SAE 30 motor oil is typically used in small engines like a small tractor, snow blower, or lawn mower.

And while most modern engines in passenger vehicles today use the multi grade oil variety, you’ll still find some four-stroke gasoline engines (like those in powerboats, motorcycles, or older cars) calling for SAE 30.

Now that we know more of the SAE 30 oil, let’s move on to some FAQs.

SAE 30 Oil FAQs

Here’s a collection of SAE 30 oil FAQs and their answers:

What Is A Viscosity Rating?

Viscosity measures the flow rate of a fluid at a particular temperature.

The Society of Automotive Engineers defines engine oil viscosity ratings from 0 to 60 in the SAE J300 standard. A lower grade generally indicates a thinner oil, and a higher rating is for thicker oil. Winter grades have a “W” appended to the number.

What Is SAE 30 Equivalent To?

The SAE and ISO (International Standards Organization) use different scales to measure viscosity.

• SAE 30 is equivalent to ISO VG 100
• SAE 20 is equivalent to ISO VG 46 and 68
• SAE 10W is equivalent to ISO VG 32

Note: ISO VG is short for International Standards Organization Viscosity Grade.

SAE viscosity grades cover engine crankcase and gear oils. ISO grades are comparable to the SAE, and include others like the AGMA (American Gear Manufacturers Association) grades for gear oils.

What’s The Difference Between SAE 30 And SAE 40 Oils?

SAE 40 oil is a slightly thicker oil than SAE 30 and will thin out slower at high temperatures.

Is SAE 30 Oil The Same As 10W-30?

Unlike SAE 30, SAE 10W-30 is multi grade oil. SAE 10W-30 has SAE 10W viscosity at a lower temperature and SAE 30 viscosity at a hotter operating temp.

Is SAE 30 The Same As SAE 30W?

There is no SAE 30W (which is a cold temperature grade) in the SAE J300 standard.

Only SAE 30 is available, which refers to a hot viscosity rating at 100 O C.

Is SAE 30 Non Detergent Oil?

SAE 30 is typically a non detergent motor oil used in small engines.

Detergent oils contain special additives designed to trap and suspend dirt and dissolve engine oil sludge in the oil until it’s changed. A non detergent oil doesn’t have these additives.

A non detergent motor oil will usually be marked as such. So, any motor oil that isn’t marked as non detergent is a detergent blend by default.

Is SAE 30 A Marine Engine Oil?

SAE 30 motor oil and SAE 30 marine engine oil are different things.

Though oil in a four-stroke marine engine does the same thing as in an automobile engine, marine and passenger vehicle motor oils aren’t interchangeable.

Marine engines are often cooled by lake, sea, or river water. So, while they’re controlled thermostatically, their temperature cycling is different from a road-going automobile.

Marine engine oil needs to handle high RPMs and the constant load experienced by marine engines. They require a corrosion inhibitor that can better resist moisture and rust compared to automotive engine oil.

These oils also often go past their oil change window, so antioxidants are critical to extending oil life and providing a long engine life.

Is SAE 30 Synthetic?

SAE 30 motor oil can be synthetic oil or otherwise.

Here’s the difference: Synthetic oil is an oil type, while SAE 30 is an oil grade.

Can I Use 5W-30 Instead Of SAE 30?

Both oils have a “30” hot viscosity rating.

This means SAE 5W-30 oil has the same flow rate as SAE 30 at operating temp. So, technically it’s fine to use SAE 5W-30 oil in place of SAE 30.

Can I Use SAE 30 Oil In Diesel Engines?

SAE 30 motor oil is specified for use in some older 2-stroke and 4-stroke diesel engines.

Before using the SAE 30 oil, make sure to check which Diesel Engine industry classification is needed — like API CK-4 or API CF-4. This should be indicated on the oil bottle.

Note: API (American Petroleum Institute) “S” classifications are for gasoline engines (not diesel engines) like API SN or SP.

Can I Mix SAE 30 Oil With 10W-30 Oil?

API requires all engine oil to be compatible with each other. This means you can mix any SAE graded motor oils.

You might see SAE 30 oil specified for an older engine, like those in classic cars. However, modern engines typically require multi-grade oils, so using an SAE 30 motor oil in any vehicle built recently would be inadvisable. Always check the owner’s manual first!

Can I Use SAE 30 In A Lawn Mower?

SAE 30 oil is the most common oil for small engines. It’s often recommended for lawn mower engine use. To be sure, always check the lawn mower owner’s manual first.

Does SAE 30 Oil Have Additives?

Yes. Many engine oils, including SAE 30 oils, have additives to improve engine performance and enhance engine protection and lubrication.

A single grade oil like SAE 30, however, cannot use polymeric viscosity index improvers.

Final Thoughts

Motor lubricants and grease play an essential role in keeping the internal engine components running smoothly, whether it goes in your car, snow blower, or lawnmower.

As a result, using the correct lubricant is highly important.You don’t want to damage your engine from unnecessary heat and grinding. Not only will that reduce your engine efficiency, but it will also cut short your engine’s life.

As for your car, keep an eye on your motor oil consumption and make sure the oil level is good. The best way to do this is to stick to a regular maintenance schedule, easily done with mobile mechanics like RepairSmith!

RepairSmith is available seven days a week, offers easy online booking, and a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty for all repairs. Just contact them, and their ASE-certified mechanics will drop by to help in no time!

RepairSmith RepairSmith is the easiest way to repair your car. Our ASE-certified technicians deliver quality car repair and maintenance directly to your driveway. We offer upfront pricing, online booking, and a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty.